>Question

>I have a couple of questions for my Catholic friends out there:

1. Is Catholicism a branch of Christianity

2. If so, then what’s the big deal about not being Catholic? (This in reference to being Godparents/Christian Sponsors, not having marriages recognized by the Catholic Church and other Christians not being allowed to take Communion in a Catholic Church)?

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3 Responses to “>Question”

>Well hello there! :)1. YES! In fact, the Catholic Church has been around since Jesus established THE Church 2000 years ago. Other branches of Christianity were formed at Martin Luther’s split in the 1700s (I’m bad at dates), so they’ve been around, what 600-700 years? (I’m bad at Math too!) Anyway, yes, we Catholics are also Christians. :)2. Now THAT is an open-ended question. I’m going to answer the godparent part of things. Catholic parents need to have at least one practicing Catholic godparent. It is possible to have non-Catholic Christians as godparents (both of my girls do, and actually the reason they both have three godparents is because of that need for one practicing Catholic). The reason for this is that, while we are all Christian, at baptism we are making a promise as godparents and as parents to raise our children in the faith. We Catholics do respect our non-Catholic Christian brothers and sisters, but the fact remains that we differ in quite a few areas. That is one of the reasons for having a practicing Catholic godparent.3. Communion is its own answer. As a non-Catholic, a fellow Christian who attends Mass does not subscribe to all the beliefs and teachings of the Catholic Church. Taking Communion – which we believe is the real presence and body and blood of Jesus – would be an insult to both the Catholic Church (because you don’t believe as we do) and to you (because you are acting in a way that is not consistent with your beliefs). These are the short answers, because (a) this is a combox and (b) I came upon this right before I need to get cracking and leave for work. Feel free to email me if you want more resources or a deeper answer. Or, for that matter, give me a call. 🙂 (It’s always nice to talk with you, and it’s been a while!)Hope I answered your questions with some semblance of sense. If not, like I said, ask away. 🙂

>I forgot the marriages one. I’m going to have to just send you some info. The answer is very like the answer to your Communion question.Marriage is one of the seven sacraments, and as such, it needs to be validated within the church. We are not saying you’re not married, only that you are not sacramentally married. You can’t be sacramentally married if you were not married in a church that recognizes marriage as a sacrament (i.e. the Catholic Church). Validation – piece of cake.Next you’re going to ask about divorce.And, my friend, all of these questions could have answers pages long to make sure that the answers are clear and well-explained. So take my brief answers with that grain of salt attached, K-O? 🙂

>Nope, no questions on divorce 🙂 The old Bible’s pretty clear on that one… Absolutely not an option.Anyway, thanks for the answers. I’ve kind of been curious about this, since some of my non-Catholic Christian friends believe otherwise otherwise about my first question (which, if they knew the history of things they would truly understand otherwise). This, along with what I’ve picked up from my non-praticing Catholic in-laws was making my head spin.Anywhoo… Thanks, and have a Blessed Holy Week.Wendy